Bringing the Outdoors In: Painting Foliage for a Lab Portrait

Painted Leaves Detail

Getting lost in the details of this Labrador portrait today! 🎨 I’m currently focused on the background, layering in these leafy textures.

I find that randomness and color variety are the secret ingredients. If every leaf is perfectly shaped or the same shade of green, it can feel stiff and distract from the subject.

By embracing organic, "random" strokes and mixing unexpected tones—like hints of gold, deep blues, or even purples—the background starts to feel alive. This depth creates a natural environment that makes the Labrador really pop, giving the whole piece a sense of atmosphere rather than just a flat backdrop. Stay tuned to see how this sweet pup comes together! 🐾✨

Hashtags: #PetPortrait #LabradorArt #WorkInProgress #ArtistProcess #OilPainting #DogArt #CreativeProcess #NatureInArt #LabradorRetriever #AnimalArtist

I will be posting a video of the work in progress below:'
Tiny 1/24 Scale Santas by PortraitsbyNC

#PortraitCommission #ArtProcess #CompositionSketch #ArtistLife #NewWork
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Meet the Artist

"My Name is Enzie (NC) and I am a multi disciplinary artist based in southern California, USA.

I specialize in hand painted life-size pet portraits and custom-made miniature dioramas in various sizes.

Visit my blog to see what I am currently working on."

Enzie

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